Artificial ear-drum



(No Model.)

H. P. K. PEOK. Artificial Ear Drum.

N0. 235,5 66. Patented Dec. 14,1880.

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HOMER P. K. PEGK, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

ARTIFICIAL EAR-DRUM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 235,566, dated December 14, 1880.

Application filed October 7, 1850.

Fig. 3 is a similar section with the elastic disk detached. Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section with a part of the stem broken away; and Fig. 5 represents the outline, size,

and shape of the artificial tympanum as formed and used with my improvements for adults.

The line x denotes a wire, which may be used when the appliance is withdrawn from the ear to rem ove any obstructions that might prevent the passage of air through the tubular stem 0.

My invention relates to certain improvements in the artificial ear-drum of thin elastic material, which for many years has been used to restore the hearing of the deaf, especially in cases in which the natural tympanum had been destroyed or punctured; and it consists in making the stem tubular, and in furnishing it with a single thin collar or flange, to which an elastic plate or disk, serving as an artificial tympanum, is attached, and in constructing the latter of two pieces'of thin elastic material, (like that class of rubber goods used in surgery for bandages,) which pieces are cemented together, so as to form an annular connection between them, leaving a central space or portion detached, into which the metal collar at the end of the stem may be buttoned or inserted and retained firmly by first dipping the collar into elastic cement, as hereinafter described.

The flexible elastic disks to b are cemented together, as shown in Fig. 4, and either one may be provided with a slit or button-hole, f, (see Fig. 1,) to allow the flange or collar 0 to be inserted between them.

In Fig. 1 the central dotted circle denotes (No model.)

the metal flange or collar 0. The larger dotted circle denotes the smaller elastic disk I), which is cemented to the thin flexible tympanum a, and incloses the collar 0. cdenotes the tubular stem, preferably made of gold, about onesixteenth of an inch in diameter and about one inch and one-fourth in length, provided with a ring, (I, as a handle, to clasp between the thumb and finger for inserting the tympanum a into the auditory passage or tube of the ear, and for removing it, which should be done two or three times each week, for cleansing both the ear and the artificial tympanum. As heretofore made, the stem of the artificial ear-drum has been a solid metal wire provided with two thin metal collars at one end, and an elastic tympanum or disk was secured between them upon the end of the extreme end of the stem, which, when inserted in the auditory tube of the ear, was liable to come forcibly in contact with the natural tympanum and to injure it, and thereby to cause irritation and inflammation; and as there was no provision for admitting air into the ear between the natural and the artificial tympan um while the latter was in use, it was required to be frequently removed entirely from the ear for the purpose of properly ventilating the auditory passage and the parts of the interior of the ear excluded from the atmosphere by this artificial tympanum.

By means of the double flexible disk to b the collar or flange c is perfectly cushioned, and thereby prevented from injuring the delicate membranes of the ear, and by the provision of the tubular stem and perforated flexible tympanum a the partial withdrawal of the appliance within the auditory tube of the ear will cause the air to be drawn in through the tubular stem and perforated disk (1, and come in contact with the natural drum of the ear. Besides, the difficulty and pain caused by the withdrawal of the artificial tympanum as heretofore constructed is obviated by permitting the air to enter back of the tympanum as it is withdrawn, and thereby preventing the partial vacuum produced by the removal of the old appliance from the car.

An important feature of my invention consists in the provision of the double elastic stem, thereby exposing the metal collar at the I disk a I), provided with a slit or button-hole, j, which enables the person using the instrument to readily attach a new tympanum, a, to the stem 0 when, from use and continued subjection to the influence of the natural tein perature of the auditory tube, it has become frail and inefficient for the function for which it is intended.

Having fully described my invention, and the manner of using the same, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A tubular stem, 0, in combination with a thin flexible disk or artificial tympanum, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The double disk at b, forming the artificial 15 which the latter is attached to the tyrnpanurn 20 substantially as described.

H. P. K. PEOK.

Witnesses O. S. DRURY, T. W. KERR. 

